This is what expired fracking rules look like:
The latest issue of the New York State Register makes it official: The Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposed regulations for large-scale hydrofracking have officially expired.
Not that it was a surprise, of course. The deadline for finalizing the rules—which would have allowed fracking to move forward with strict limitations—came and went on February 27 after Health Commissioner Nirav Shah said he needed more time to complete a review of the health impacts.
The official state register prints every Wednesday, with submissions required about two weeks in advance. Hence, the notice of expiration just showed up in Wednesday’s issue.
In the meantime, high-volume fracking remains on hold in New York. The DEC—if it decides to implement formal regulations—would have to re-propose them in the register, and open them to a 45-day public comment period and at least one hearing.
3 Comments
Thanks to all who raised their voices saying we are not going to take a botched regulatory process. NYS needs total transparency in the writing, public access and finalizing of the Environmental Impact Statement, giving all scientific backup for proposed regulations, like they should have done the first time. And all other times.
The citizens of New York State should have at least as much input to this process as the gas industry does. It is our future at stake.
I agree; kudos and thanks for all of you who have spoken out against this destructive and dangerous practice. Cuomo is finding out that New Yorkers- at least the majority of us- are intelligent enough to recognize how harmful hydrofracking is and how permanently this practice destroys not ony the environment, but communiies and lives. Special thanks to all the amazing leaders of all of the varied grassroots organizations who have worked tirelessly and passionately on this issue!!
NY’s water and air will continue to be frack-free. Hallelujah.
My gratitude to all who have resisted and will continue to resist the voracious tentacles of the gas & oil insinuations. We are Laocoons and His Sons!